Bluegrass and artisans coming to Mountaineer Folk Festival this weekend
The three-day Mountaineer Folk Festival at Fall Creek Falls State Park is happening September 8-10. For the past 45 years, the festival has continued to provide traditional mountain music, handmade crafts, country cooking and more. For more see the September 7 issue of The Bledsonian Banner.
Read MoreRiding her passion to the World Grand Championship
From riding her stick horse around the house when she learned to walk to being a world champion rider, Caroline Sells is mastering the reigns of her dreams. This Bledsoe County High School senior recently rode to the winner’s circle at the 2023 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Caroline and Luciano took World Championship and…
Read MoreCharles Kenneth Swafford
Charles Kenneth Swafford, 72, of Pikeville, Tennessee died Monday, September 4, 2023. Kenneth loved his daughters, enjoying his grandchildren, and farming his cattle ranch. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Eunice Wright Swafford. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Kristal (James) Robbins, Ashley (David) Madewell; grandchildren, Lincoln and Kennedy…
Read MoreRhonda Darlene Roberts
Rhonda Darlene Roberts, 67 of Spring City, Tennessee died on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. She was born in Winchester, Tennessee on January 18, 1956 to the late Henry Looney and Hazel Stubblefield Brinkley. Rhonda was a graduate of Bledsoe High School and the Rhea County Board of Education LPN…
Read MoreLeroy Doyle Nation
Leroy Doyle Nation was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on September 19, 1948. He attended Soddy Daisy High School and graduated in 1967. He retired from Binswanger Glass Company in Chattanooga. Leroy loved his family, grandkids, his fighting roosters, football, and any kind of racing. He was of the Baptist faith. Leroy was preceded in death…
Read MoreUSDA grant to aid SETHRA with food distribution throughout region
Families and individuals receiving food assistance through the Southeast Tennessee Human Resources Agency (SETHRA), in a multi-county service area, will be aided by a $208,137 emergency health care grant from USDA Rural Development. “This grant will significantly increase SETHRA’s capacity to distribute food and meals to low-income, disabled, and elderly households in our rural service…
Read MoreHood earns his GED in jail
Earning his General Equivalency Diploma (GED) has been a 36-year dream of James “Jimmy” Hood, an inmate at Bledsoe County Detention Center. In July, he finally reached that dream. “I’m 54 years old, and I’ve been waiting 36 years to get my diploma,” Hood said. He said he completed 11th grade, and part of 12th…
Read MoreTime to repay his kindness — Pray for Eli
The Random Act of Kindness “Bandit” needs your prayers. “That’s what we called him every time the front door of the Bledsonian-Banner office would open and a young boy – now a man – would quietly leave something on the front counter for us, not saying a word,” reminisces Sandy Dodson, publisher. “Sometimes it was…
Read MoreRichard Carric Sapp
Richard Carric Sapp, 63, of Pikeville, Tennessee died Monday, August 21, 2023. Richard loved his children, playing with his grandkids, fishing and drafting. He was of the Baptist faith. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Robert C. “Bobby” Jr. and Pearlie Sapp. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Katrina Tompkins Sapp;…
Read MoreMike Glenn Dodson
Mike Glenn Dodson, 58, of Pikeville, Tennessee, lost his valiant battle with sudden respiratory failure on Saturday, August 26, 2023. Mike grew up in Ooltewah, Tennessee and graduated from Ooltewah High School in 1984. Above all, Mike was a loving and devoted father. He was always on the sidelines, in the stands, or wherever his…
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